Nov
14
2007
0

Vocabulary Builder: Insuperable

Long Definition:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Cite This Source Share This
in·su·per·a·ble [in-soo-per-uh-buh l] Pronunciation Key Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
incapable of being passed over, overcome, or surmounted: an insuperable barrier.

[Origin: 1300–50; ME < L insuper?bilis. See in-3, superable ]

in·su·per·a·bil·i·ty, in·su·per·a·ble·ness, noun
in·su·per·a·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.


The etymology section above is a bit lacking. In- means not, and -super means over or surmountable, so insuperable literally means not surmountable.

Short Definition: Can’t get over

Sentences:
It’s usually used to describe odds, difficulties, or obstacles.
Her poor grades so far this semester have become an insuperable obstacle to her goal of getting a 4.0.
Against insuperable odds, the child was able to escape the burning building.

Mnemonic:

Inca>soup>pear>can’t get over – I picture an Inca man high in the Andes Mountains, perhaps in Macchu Picchu, sitting next to a gigantic gray stone wall. He’s eating an enormous bowl of steaming hot soup with big green pears floating in it. He takes several slurping sips and then tries to scale the stone wall. He scrabbles and he scrambles, but he can’t get over it.

Written by sharpbean in: GRE,SAT | Tags: , , ,
Nov
13
2007
0

Nice vocabulary builder site

Here’s a helpful site for practicing . It includes some practice GRE questions and flash cards that define the word and use it in context.

Written by sharpbean in: GRE,SAT | Tags: ,
Nov
13
2007
0

Revised GRE info from U. of Georgia…

Here's a link to an article on the two new question types on the GRE.  Doesn't seem fair that you pay ETS in order to take the test and then they experiment on you…

Written by sharpbean in: Study Skills | Tags: ,
Nov
09
2007
0
Nov
08
2007
0

Vocabulary Builder: Refulgent

Long Definition:

re·ful·gent [ri-fuhl-juh nt] Pronunciation Key Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
shining brightly; radiant; gleaming: Crystal chandeliers and gilded walls made the opera house a refulgent setting for the ball.

[Origin: 1500–10; <>refulgent- (s. of refulgéns, prp. of refulgére to radiate light). See re-, fulgent ]

re·ful·gence, re·ful·gen·cy, re·ful·gent·ness, noun
re·ful·gent·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.


Short Definition: Shining brightly

Sentences:
Her refulgent smile made her a natural choice for the toothpaste commercial.
The student’s refulgent intellect was evident to all her professors.
The star Sirius is known for it’s refulgency in the winter sky.

Mnemonic:
Reef fool > shining brightly. I’m floating on a life raft in the middle of the ocean late at night. I hear the sound of waves crashing and notice a bright light ahead. When I get closer I can see it’s a fool (like a jester) standing on a hidden reef. The waves are crashing on the reef and will tear my life raft apart if I don’t do something. The reef fool has a big letter ‘F’ , for ‘fool,’ (to help me remember he’s a fool and not a jester) emblazoned on his shirt and it’s shining brightly in the night like a lighthouse beacon.

Written by sharpbean in: GRE,SAT | Tags: , , ,
Nov
08
2007
0

New Question Types on the GRE: Reminder

Those of you taking the GRE soon should remember that there will be two new question types on the test. You can see the specifics here.

But don’t sweat it! The questions will not count towards your score at this time. You might not see any new questions when you take the test, and if you do you will have no more than one.

Nothing to worry about.

Written by sharpbean in: Study Skills | Tags:
Nov
06
2007
0

Sleep Helps You Remember


Good to show that sleep helps you consolidate all kinds of memories, including what you were just studying! Take a gander…

Written by sharpbean in: Study Skills | Tags:
Nov
05
2007
0

Vocabulary Builder: Contumacious

Long Definition:

con·tu·ma·cious      [kon-too-mey-shuh s, -tyoo-] Pronunciation Key Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient.

[Origin: 1590–1600; contumacy + -ous ]

con·tu·ma·cious·ly, adverb
con·tu·ma·cious·ness, con·tu·mac·i·ty      [kon-too-mas-i-tee, -tyoo- ] Pronunciation Key Show IPA Pronunciation, noun

contrary, pigheaded, factious, refractory, headstrong, intractable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.


Short Definition: Pigheaded

Sentences: 
His contumacious nature landed him in the county jail; he shouldn't have mouthed off to that cop.
Contumacity is never appreciated by elementary teachers; they would prefer students do as they're told and promptly.

Mnemonic:
Cone tomato – pigheaded .  I was walking across campus the other day carrying an orange, plastic traffic cone filled with rotten, dripping tomatoes.  The juice was running down the sides of the cone and getting all over me, and the smell was horrific.  I saw a young boy struggling with his mother, and trying to run across a busy street.  The mother was trying hard to keep the bratty kid on the sidewalk, but the boy was throwing a fit.  I slammed the traffic cone onto the boy's head like a dunce cap, tomato pulp flying everywhere, and his head morphed into a squealing pig's head.

Written by sharpbean in: GRE,SAT | Tags: , , ,
Nov
02
2007
0

Word to the Wise

Study without desire spoils the , and it retains nothing that it takes in.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519)

Written by sharpbean in: Study Skills | Tags:
Nov
02
2007
0

To STRESSED to Test


You, my friend, are a study fiend! You’ve put in the time. You know the material. You are ready for the exam. So why are you in a panic at the thought of that test? Why do the icy fingers of dread play Chopsticks on your spine? Why does the very thought of that test start you sweating like a t-sip at a spelling bee? Curse you, foul Stress!

You don’t have to take that sort of fear. Get all Chuck Norris on test anxiety! Find out how over at about.com…

Written by sharpbean in: Study Skills | Tags:

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